Apparatus and method of sealing an envelope in a document security apparatus

ABSTRACT

A sealing assembly includes a support roller. The sealing assembly also includes a center roller having a sealing ridge attached thereto which operatively contacts the support roller so as to urge a first enclosure sheet into contact with a second enclosure sheet. The sealing assembly further includes a first edge roller which operatively contacts the support roller so as to urge the first enclosure sheet into contact with the second enclosure sheet. The center roller and the first edge roller are rotatably supported on a common axis. The center roller rotates independently of the first edge roller. A method of sealing an envelope in a document security apparatus is also disclosed.

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 08/767,114 now abandoned, filed Dec. 4, 1996, entitled "DrivenPressure Roller" by William D. Baker, Christopher J. Cooney, George M.Cross, Robert J. Nadeau, and Mark E. Spitler.

CROSS REFERENCE

Cross reference is made to copending U.S. patent applications Ser. No.08/950,539, entitled "Apparatus and Method for Advancing a ConfidentialSheet into a Pocket Defined by a Number of Enclosure Sheets" by GeorgeM. Cross; Ser. No. 08/950,470, entitled "Apparatus and Method forPositioning a Number of Non-Transparent Enclosure Sheets in a DocumentSecurity Apparatus" by George M. Cross; Ser. No. 08/950,465, entitled"Apparatus and Method for Guiding a Number of Enclosure Sheets and aNumber of Confidential Sheets in a Document Security Apparatus" byWilliam D. Baker, Don Barker, George M. Cross, Mark E. Spitler, andWalter J. Steinmayr; Ser. No. 08/951,445, entitled "Apparatus and Methodfor Enclosing a Confidential Sheet Between a First Enclosure Sheet and aSecond Enclosure Sheet within a Document Security Apparatus" by WilliamD. Baker, Don Barker, George M. Cross, Mark E. Spitler, and Walter J.Steinmayr; Ser. No. 08/951,444, entitled "Method for ProvidingConfidentiality to a Facsimile Transmission Having InformationAssociated with a First Page of the Transmission Printed on a FirstEnclosure Sheet" by William D. Baker and George M. Cross; Ser. No.08/951,446, entitled "Method for Providing Confidentiality to aFacsimile Transmission Having a Non-Printed Back Enclosure Sheet" byWilliam D. Baker and George M. Cross; Ser. No. 08/951,443, entitled"Apparatus and Method of Forming an Envelope in a Document SecurityApparatus" by William D. Baker, Don Barker, George M. Cross, Mark E.Spitler, and Walter J. Steinmayr; Ser. No. 08/951,437, entitled"Apparatus and Method for Sealing an Envelope Having a First LateralSide and a Second Lateral Side in a Document Security Apparatus" byWilliam D. Baker, Don Barker, George M. Cross, Mark E. Spitler, andWalter J. Steinmayr; and Ser. No. 08/951,442, entitled "Apparatus andMethod for Sealing an Envelope in a Document Security Apparatus Having aSealing Roller with a Sealing Ridge Attached Thereto" by William D.Baker, Christopher J. Cooney, George M. Cross, Robert J. Nadeau, andMark E. Spitler, each of which is assigned to the same assignee as thepresent invention, and each of which is filed concurrently herewith.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a document reproductionmachine, and more particularly to an apparatus and method for providingconfidentiality to a document reproduction machine.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Document reproduction machines are commonly used in many office and homework environments. Examples of such machines include facsimile machines,laser or ink-jet printers, and photocopy machines. Operation of documentreproduction machines typically includes printing information associatedwith a document onto sheets of paper as the sheets are advanced throughthe machine, and thereafter stacking or otherwise storing the printedsheets in an output tray associated with the machine. One drawbackassociated with use of document reproduction machines is a lack ofconfidentiality. In particular, the printed sheets in the output trayare generally not protected or otherwise obstructed from view and maytherefore be viewed by individuals other than the intended recipient.

In regard to facsimile machines, a facsimile transmission is sent from asending facsimile machine to a receiving facsimile machine which may belocated anywhere that may be accessed with a telephone line. Once thefacsimile transmission is received by the receiving facsimile machine,information associated with the transmission is printed onto papersheets, such as plain-paper, 81/2"×11" white sheets, and then positionedin an output tray included in the receiving facsimile machine. Theprinted transmission remains in the output tray until it is claimed orotherwise picked-up by the intended recipient of the transmission.During a period of time between when the facsimile transmission isreceived and printed by the receiving facsimile machine and when theprinted sheets associated with the transmission are claimed by therecipient, the printed sheets of the facsimile transmission may beviewed by individuals other than the intended recipient.

In order to overcome the above drawbacks, a number of devices haveheretofore been designed for the purpose of providing confidentiality toa facsimile transmission. For example, devices have heretofore beendesigned which print and thereafter stack the ordered pages associatedwith the facsimile transmission in an intermediate tray or bin. Once thelast page of the transmission is positioned on the stack, the entirestack is advanced in unison through the throat of a number of staplersthereby stapling the pages of the facsimile transmission to one another.However, by stacking the pages after printing, such devices invert theorder of the pages within the stack (i.e. the top or first page of thestack is the last page of the transmission) thereby causing the firstpage of the facsimile message, which typically identifies the intendedrecipient, to be positioned on the bottom of the stack (with the printedside thereof facing inwardly toward the stack) thereby disadvantageouslyconcealing the identity of the intended recipient within the stapledstack. In addition, the recipient of the facsimile transmission may findit inconvenient to open the stapled stack since multiple staples areused to secure the individual printed sheets of the facsimiletransmission to each other. Also, devices which perform such a staplingoperation are relatively mechanically complex and expensive tomanufacture and operate.

Another type of device which has heretofore been designed to overcomethe above drawbacks seals the printed facsimile transmission in a clear,plastic envelope. In particular, the printed transmission is firstfolded such that the front page of the transmission is visible.Thereafter, the folded transmission is advanced into a clear, plasticenvelope which is then sealed. However, this type of device isrelatively mechanically complex in that numerous mechanisms must beprovided to (1) fold the printed sheets, (2) store and transport theclear, plastic material, (3) place the folded transmission in the clear,plastic envelope, and (4) seal the envelope.

What is needed therefore is an apparatus and method which overcomes theaforementioned drawbacks associated with use of a document reproductionmachine. What is also needed is an apparatus and method for providingconfidentiality to a printing operation. What is further needed is anapparatus and method for providing confidentiality to a facsimiletransmission which overcomes the drawbacks associated with such deviceswhich have heretofore been designed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention, there isprovided a sealing assembly. The sealing assembly includes a supportroller. The sealing assembly also includes a center roller having asealing ridge attached thereto which operatively contacts the supportroller so as to urge a first enclosure sheet into contact with a secondenclosure sheet. The sealing assembly further includes a first edgeroller which operatively contacts the support roller so as to urge thefirst enclosure sheet into contact with the second enclosure sheet. Thecenter roller and the first edge roller are rotatably supported on acommon axis. The center roller rotates independently of the first edgeroller.

In accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention, thereis provided a method of sealing an envelope in a document securityapparatus. The method includes the step of advancing a first enclosuresheet and a second enclosure sheet in a path of movement so that thefirst enclosure sheet is positioned between (1) a center roller and asupport roller, and (2) a first edge roller and the support roller. Thefirst enclosure sheet includes a first pressure sensitive adhesivethereon. The second enclosure sheet includes a second pressure sensitiveadhesive thereon. The method also includes the step of urging the firstpressure sensitive adhesive toward the second pressure sensitiveadhesive with the center roller so as to form a first seal portion whichextends in a first direction which is perpendicular to the path ofmovement of the first and second enclosure sheets. The method furtherincludes the step of urging the first pressure sensitive adhesive towardthe second pressure sensitive adhesive with the first end roller so asto form a second seal portion which extends in a second direction whichis parallel to the path of movement of the first and second enclosuresheets.

In accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention, there isprovided a sealing assembly. The sealing assembly includes a supportsurface. The sealing assembly also includes a center sealer whichoperatively contacts the support surface so as to urge a first enclosuresheet into contact with a second enclosure sheet. The sealing assemblyfurther includes an edge sealer which operatively contacts the supportsurface so as to urge the first enclosure sheet into contact with thesecond enclosure sheet. The center sealer and the edge sealer arerotatably supported on a common axis, and the center sealer rotatesindependently of the edge sealer.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new anduseful apparatus for providing confidentiality to a printing operation.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide an improvedapparatus for providing confidentiality to a printing operation.

It is moreover an object of the present invention to provide a new anduseful method of providing confidentiality to a printing operation.

It is further an object of the present invention to provide an improvedmethod of providing confidentiality to a printing operation.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a new anduseful apparatus for providing confidentiality to a facsimiletransmission.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide an improvedapparatus for providing confidentiality to a facsimile transmission.

It is moreover an object of the present invention to provide a new anduseful method of providing confidentiality to a facsimile transmission.

It is further an object of the present invention to provide an improvedmethod of providing confidentiality to a facsimile transmission.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide anapparatus for providing confidentiality to a printing operation which isless mechanically complex relative to document security devices whichhave heretofore been designed.

It is moreover an object of the present invention to provide anapparatus for providing confidentiality to a printing operation which isless expensive to manufacture and operate relative to document securitydevices which have heretofore been designed.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide an apparatusfor providing confidentiality to a printing operation which produces aprinted output that is conveniently packaged or otherwise sealed forfuture access by an intended recipient.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide an apparatusfor providing confidentiality to a printing operation which produces anaddressed confidential packet which is easily identifiable in a stack ofpackets or documents.

The above and other objects, features, and advantages of the presentinvention will become apparent from the following description and theattached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a right side elevational view of a first embodiment of adocument security apparatus which incorporates the features of thepresent invention therein;

FIG. 2 is left side elevational view of the document security apparatusof FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top elevational view of the document security apparatus ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of the document security apparatus of FIG. 1showing a first paper path of travel;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4, but showing a second paper path oftravel;

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 4, but showing a third paper path oftravel;

FIG. 7A is an elevational view of the front side of the enclosure sheetwhich is advanced through the document security apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7B is a view similar to FIG. 7A, but showing a back side of theenclosure sheet;

FIG. 7C is a view similar to FIG. 7A, but showing the front enclosuresheet ES_(FRONT) with information associated with the first page of thefacsimile transmission printed thereon;

FIG. 7D is an elevational view of the sealed confidential packet CPwhich is produced by the document security apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the relationship between the lowerplate 40, the scuffer assembly 50, the lateral edge rollers 94 and 96,and the support roller 92 of the document security apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view showing therelationship between the scuffer assemblies 48 and 50, and the sealingstation 20 of the document security apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the sheet guiding assembly 74 of thedocument security apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 11 is a cross sectional view showing the deflector arm 76 of thesheet guiding assembly of FIG. 10 in the raised position;

FIG. 12 is a view similar to FIG. 11, but showing the deflector arm 76in the lowered position;

FIG. 13 is a partial cross sectional view showing a sealing assembly ofthe sealing station of the document security apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 14A is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the sealingroller of the sealing assembly of FIG. 13;

FIG. 14B is a view similar to FIG. 14A, but showing a second embodimentof the sealing roller;

FIG. 15A is a view similar to FIG. 14A, but showing a third embodimentof the sealing roller;

FIG. 15B is a view similar to FIG. 14A, but showing a fourth embodimentof the sealing roller;

FIG. 16A is a view similar to FIG. 14A, but showing a fifth embodimentof the sealing roller;

FIG. 16B is a view similar to FIG. 14A, but showing a sixth embodimentof the sealing roller;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a lateral sealing assembly which mayalternatively be used in the sealing station of the document securityapparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 18 is a simplified block diagram of the document security apparatusof FIG. 1;

FIG. 19 is a flow chart setting forth a general procedure 250 forprinting a confidential facsimile message with the document securityapparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 20 is a flow chart setting forth the print and seal step 256 of thegeneral procedure 250 of FIG. 19 in more detail;

FIG. 21 is a partial cross sectional view showing the front enclosuresheet ES_(FRONT) and the back enclosure sheet ES_(BACK) being advancedthrough the sheet advancing gap 141 of the sealing roller 90 of FIG. 13;

FIG. 22 is a view similar to FIG. 21, but showing the front enclosuresheet ES_(FRONT) being sealed to the back enclosure sheet ES_(BACK) bythe sealing roller 90;

FIG. 23 is a view similar to FIG. 22, but showing the position of thesealing roller 90 during advancement of the confidential sheets CS intothe envelope 91;

FIG. 24 is a view similar to FIG. 23, but showing the sealing roller 90positioned in order to allow the front enclosure sheet ES_(FRONT), theback enclosure sheet ES_(BACK), and the confidential sheets CStherebetween to be advanced through the sheet advancing gap 141 of thesealing roller 90;

FIG. 25 is a view similar to FIG. 24, but showing the relationshipbetween the sealing roller 90 and the support roller 92 as the sealingroller 90 begins to seal the trailing edge portions 133 of the frontenclosure sheet ES_(FRONT) and the back enclosure sheet ES_(BACK) to oneanother;

FIG. 26 is a view similar to FIG. 25, but showing the sealing roller 90as it completes sealing the trailing edge portions 133;

FIG. 27 is a side elevational view showing the front enclosure sheetES_(FRONT) being advanced into the nip of the nip roller assembly 134 ofthe document security apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 28 is a view similar to FIG. 27, but showing the back enclosuresheet ES_(BACK) being advanced toward the nip so as to form the pocket43;

FIG. 29 is a view similar to FIG. 28, but showing the leading edgeportion of the front enclosure sheet ES_(FRONT) sealed to the leadingedge potion of the back enclosure sheet ES_(BACK) so as to form theenvelope 91;

FIG. 30 is a view similar to FIG. 29, but showing one of theconfidential sheets CS being advanced into the envelope 91;

FIG. 31 is a perspective view of the bail system 41 of the documentsecurity apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 32 is a schematic view showing a first paper path of travel of asecond embodiment of a document security apparatus which incorporatesthe features of the present invention therein;

FIG. 33 is a view similar to FIG. 32, but showing a second paper path oftravel;

FIG. 34 is a view similar to FIG. 32, but showing a third paper path oftravel; and

FIG. 35 is a view similar to FIG. 32, but showing a fourth paper path oftravel.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

While the invention is susceptible to various modifications andalternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by wayof example in the drawings and will herein be described in detail. Itshould be understood, however, that there is no intent to limit theinvention to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, theintention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternativesfalling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by theappended claims.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-6, there is shown a document security apparatus10. The document security apparatus 10 includes a housing 12, an upperinput tray 14, a lower input tray 16, an output tray 18, and a sealingstation 20.

A pair of belt driven feeding rollers 22, 24 (see FIG. 4) are providedto advance sheets out of the upper input tray 14 and the lower inputtray 16, respectively. In particular, the feeding rollers 22 are coupledto an output pinion of a roller drive motor 26 via a belt 28, whereasthe feeding rollers 24 are coupled to an output pinion of a roller drivemotor 27 via a belt 30. A number of confidential sheets CS are advancedby the feeding rollers 22 out of the upper input tray 14 and into aprint engine 32 (see FIGS. 4-6). Similarly, a number of enclosure sheetsES (see FIG. 7) are advanced by the feeding rollers 24 out of the lowerinput tray 16 and into the print engine 32.

What is meant herein by the term "confidential sheets" is sheets ofpaper, such as standard 81/2"×11" white, 20 lb. paper sheets, which areto be advanced through the print engine 32 in order to have confidentialinformation associated with a printing operation, such as is a facsimiletransmission, printed thereon, and thereafter be enclosed between two ofthe enclosure sheets ES (see FIG. 7). One type of paper which issuitable for use as the confidential sheets CS in the present inventionis item number 4024 DP, 81/2"×11", 20 lb. white paper which iscommercially available from Xerox Corporation of Rochester, N.Y. Itshould be appreciated that non-confidential information may also beprinted on the confidential sheets CS.

The print engine 32 may be any known print engine that may be configuredto fit within the housing 12. For example, the print engine 32 may be aknown ink-jet, laser, LED, or thermal print engine. As shall bediscussed in more detail below, the print engine 32 may be used toselectively print information associated with a facsimile transmissiononto the confidential sheets CS and the enclosure sheets ES.

The print engine 32 includes a number of advancing rollers (not shown)or the like for advancing the confidential sheets CS and the enclosuresheets ES therethrough during printing. A belt driven advancing roller34 (see FIG. 4) is provided to advance the confidential sheets CS andthe enclosure sheets ES from the print engine 32, through a diverter 36,and onto either (1) an upper support or plate 38, or (2) a lower supportor plate 40. In particular, the advancing roller 34 is coupled to anoutput pinion of a roller drive motor 42 via a belt 44 in order toprovide the operative power necessary to advance the enclosure sheets ESand the confidential sheets CS in the manner described.

The diverter 36 is coupled to a diverter solenoid 46 (see FIG. 3)thereby permitting the diverter 36 to be moved between a number ofpositions such that the confidential sheets CS and the enclosure sheetsES may be selectively diverted to either the upper plate 38 or the lowerplate 40 (see FIG. 4). In particular, the diverter 36 may be positionedin a first diverter position in order to direct the confidential sheetsCS and the enclosure sheets ES onto the lower plate 40 when theconfidential sheets CS and the enclosure sheets ES are advanced so as tostrike or otherwise hit the diverter 36. Alternatively, the diverter 36may be positioned in a second diverter position in order to direct oneof the enclosure sheets ES onto the upper plate 38 when one of theenclosure sheets ES is advanced so as to strike or otherwise hit thediverter 36. It should be appreciated that other types of actuators maybe used in addition to, or in lieu of, the diverter solenoid 46 to movethe diverter 36. For example, the diverter 36 may be moved between thefirst diverter position and the second diverter position with a steppermotor. Use of a stepper motor also enables the diverter 36 to be movedbetween a number of diverter positions in addition to the first diverterposition and the second diverter position. For example, as shall bediscussed in more detail below in regard to FIG. 35, the stepper motormay position the diverter in a third diverter position in order todivert the printed confidential sheets CS into a non-confidential outputtray when the confidential sheets CS have non-confidential informationprinted thereon.

Collectively, the upper plate 38 and the lower plate 40 define a bailsystem 41 (see FIG. 9) of the document security apparatus 10. As shownin FIG. 31, when a pair of enclosure sheets ES are positioned in thebail system 41, a pocket 43 is formed. In particular, when a first orfront enclosure sheet ES_(FRONT) is positioned on the lower plate 38 anda second or back enclosure sheet ES_(BACK) is positioned on the upperplate 40, the pocket 43 is formed. What is meant herein by the term"pocket" is a substantially enclosed area defined by the area betweenthe front enclosure sheet ES_(FRONT) and the back enclosure sheetES_(BACK) when the front enclosure sheet ES_(FRONT) and the backenclosure sheet ES_(BACK) are both positioned as shown in the bailsystem 41. It should be appreciated that the confidential sheets CS areadvanced into the pocket 43 in order to be positioned between the frontenclosure sheet ES_(FRONT) and the back enclosure sheet ES_(BACK). Whenthe front enclosure sheet ES_(FRONT) and the back enclosure sheetES_(BACK) are both positioned in the bail system 41 so as to form thepocket 43, an entire confidential sheet CS is advanced so as to beinterposed between the front enclosure sheet ES_(FRONT) and the backenclosure sheet ES_(BACK) in order to be completely concealed. It shouldbe appreciated that although the bail system 41 is described herein asincluding the upper plate 38 and the lower plate 40, and has significantadvantages thereby in the present invention, numerous otherconfigurations of the bail system 41 may provide many of the advantagesof the present invention, it being understood that any mechanism that iscapable of directing the front enclosure sheet ES_(FRONT) and the backenclosure sheet ES_(BACK) so as to define the pocket 43 may be used asthe bail system 41.

The document security apparatus 10 further includes a pair of scufferassemblies 48, 50 as shown in FIGS. 4-6, 8, and 9. The scuffer assembly48 is provided to advance the back enclosure sheet ES_(BACK) along theupper plate 38, whereas the scuffer assembly 50 is provided to advancethe confidential sheets CS and the front enclosure sheets ES_(FRONT)along the lower plate 40.

As shown in FIG. 9, the scuffer assembly 48 includes an advancing orscuffer wheel 52. The scuffer wheel 52 is driven by a scuffer drivemotor 54. The scuffer drive motor 54 includes an output shaft 54a.Preferably, the scuffer drive motor 54 is embodied as a known steppermotor. Hence, the output shaft 54a is rotated a predetermined distanceeach time the scuffer drive motor 54 receives an electrical impulse.Moreover, the output shaft 54a contacts an outer circumferential surface52a of the scuffer wheel 52 in order to drive the scuffer wheel 52. Morespecifically, as the output shaft 54a is rotated in the generaldirection of arrow A of FIG. 9, the scuffer wheel 52 is driven in thegeneral direction of arrow B of FIG. 9. The scuffer wheel 52 is drivenin short pulses in order to constantly nudge the back enclosure sheetES_(BACK) along the upper plate 38 in a forward path of movement asindicated by arrow M of FIG. 9.

The scuffer assembly 48 is secured to the housing 12 via a baffle plate60. More specifically, the scuffer drive motor 54 has a first portion ofa mounting plate 62 secured thereto. As shown in FIG. 9, a secondportion of the mounting plate 62 is secured to the baffle plate 60thereby securing the scuffer assembly 48 to the baffle plate 60 andhence the housing 12. The scuffer wheel 52 is rotatably coupled to ascuffer axle 56 which is in turn non-rotatably coupled to a first end ofa support arm 58. The output shaft 54a of the scuffer drive motor 54 isrotatably coupled to a second end of the support arm 58 thereby allowingthe scuffer assembly 48 to compensate for the height of the backenclosure sheet ES_(BACK) advancing thereunder. More specifically, asone of the back enclosure sheets ES_(BACK) is advanced between thescuffer wheel 52 and the upper plate 38, the first end of the supportarm 58 rotates in the general direction of arrow C of FIG. 9 therebycausing the scuffer wheel 52 to be likewise urged in the generaldirection of arrow C of FIG. 9.

The upper plate 38 has an upstream portion 38a and a downstream portion38b (see FIGS. 4-6). After being diverted by the diverter 36, the backenclosure sheet ES_(BACK) is advanced onto the upstream portion 38a inorder to be advanced into contact with the scuffer assembly 48. The backenclosure sheet ES_(BACK) is thereafter advanced by the scuffer assembly48 along the downstream portion 38b and into the sealing station 20.More specifically, the downstream portion 38b of the upper plate 38 isdownwardly inclined such that when one of the back enclosure sheetsES_(BACK) is advanced thereon, a leading edge portion 131 (see FIG. 7)of the back enclosure sheet ES_(BACK) is advanced downwardly and intothe sealing station 20.

The scuffer assembly 50 is provided to advance the enclosure sheets ESand the confidential sheets CS along the lower plate 40. As shown inFIGS. 8 and 9, the scuffer assembly 50 includes an advancing or scufferwheel 64. The scuffer wheel 64 is driven by a scuffer drive motor 66.The scuffer drive motor 66 includes an output shaft 66a. As with thescuffer drive motor 54, the scuffer drive motor 66 is preferablyembodied as a known stepper motor. Hence, the output shaft 66a isrotated a predetermined distance each time the scuffer drive motor 66receives an electrical impulse. Moreover, the output shaft 66a contactsan outer circumferential surface 64a of the scuffer wheel 64 in order todrive the scuffer wheel 64. More specifically, as the output shaft 66ais rotated in the general direction of arrow A of FIG. 9, the scufferwheel 64 is driven in the general direction of arrow B of FIG. 9. Thescuffer wheel 64 is driven in short pulses in order to constantly nudgethe enclosure sheet ES and the confidential sheets CS along the lowerplate 40 in a forward path of movement as indicated by arrow N of FIG.9.

The scuffer assembly 50 is secured to the housing 12 via the upper plate38. More specifically, the scuffer drive motor 66 has a first portion ofa mounting plate 68 secured thereto. As shown in FIG. 9, a secondportion of the mounting plate 68 is secured to a bottom side of theupper plate 38 thereby securing the scuffer assembly 50 to the upperplate 38 and hence the housing 12. The scuffer wheel 64 is rotatablycoupled to a scuffer axle 70 which is in turn non-rotatably coupled to afirst end of a support arm 72. The output shaft 66a of the scuffer drivemotor 66 is rotatably coupled to a second end of the support arm 72thereby allowing the scuffer assembly 72 to compensate for the height ofthe various confidential sheets CS and enclosure sheets ES advancingthereunder. More specifically, as the enclosure sheet ES, and thereafterthe confidential sheets CS, are advanced between the scuffer wheel 64and the lower plate 40, the first end of the support arm 72 rotates inthe general direction of arrow C of FIG. 9 thereby causing the scufferwheel 64 to be likewise urged in the general direction of arrow C ofFIG. 9.

It should be appreciated that the scuffer assemblies 48, 50 may bemodified in order to reduce the number of components associated with thedocument security apparatus 10. For example, the scuffer wheels 52, 64may both be belt driven from a common drive motor thereby eliminatingthe need for separate drive motors (i.e. the scuffer drive motors 54,66).

The lower plate 40 has an upstream portion 40a and a downstream portion40b (see FIGS. 4-6). After being diverted by the diverter 36, theenclosure sheets ES, and thereafter the confidential sheets CS, areadvanced onto the upstream portion 40a in order to be advanced intocontact with the scuffer assembly 50. The enclosure sheets ES and theconfidential sheets CS are thereafter advanced by the scuffer assembly50 along the downstream portion 40b and toward the sealing station 20.More specifically, the downstream portion 40b of the lower plate 40 isconfigured such that when one of the enclosure sheets ES, or one of theconfidential sheets CS is advanced thereon, a leading edge portion 131(see FIG. 7) of the enclosure sheet ES, or a leading edge portion 121 ofthe confidential sheet CS is advanced toward the sealing station 20.

As shown in FIGS. 10-12, the document security apparatus 10 furtherincludes a sheet guiding assembly 74. The sheet guiding assembly 74includes a pair of deflector arms 76, 78. The deflector arms 76, 78 arecoupled to a shaft 80. The shaft 80 is rotatable in the generaldirections of arrows E and F of FIG. 10 thereby permitting the deflectorarms 76, 78 to be positioned in a raised deflector position as shown inFIG. 11, and a lowered deflector position as shown in FIG. 12. Each ofthe deflector arms 76, 78 includes a lower guide member 82. Each of thelower guide members 82 is received into a deflecting recess 84 definedin the lower plate 40 when the deflector arms 76, 78 are positioned inthe lowered deflector position as shown in FIG. 12. Moreover, each ofthe deflector arms 76, 78 has an upper guide member 85 secured thereto.The upper guide members 85 and the lower guide members 82 define a sheetadvancing slot 87 into which the confidential sheets CS are advanced(see FIG. 12).

The shaft 80 is mechanically coupled to a deflecting solenoid 86 (seeFIG. 3). The deflecting solenoid 86 provides the operative powernecessary to rotate the shaft 80 in the general directions of arrows Eand F of FIG. 10. Hence, actuation of the deflecting solenoid 86selectively moves the deflector arms 76, 78 in the general direction ofarrow K so as to be positioned in the raised deflector position (seeFIG. 11), or in the general direction of arrow L so as to be positionedin the lowered deflector position (see FIG. 12).

The deflector arms 76, 78 are positionable to allow the front enclosuresheet ES_(FRONT) to be advanced into the sealing station 20. Morespecifically, when the deflecting solenoid 86 is actuated such that thedeflector arms 76, 78 are positioned in the raised deflector position(see FIG. 11), the front enclosure sheet ES_(FRONT) may be advancedunder the deflector arms 76, 78 and into the sealing station 20.Moreover, the deflector arms 76, 78 are positionable to allow theconfidential sheets CS to be advanced toward the sealing station 20. Inparticular, as shown in FIG. 12, when the deflecting solenoid 86 isactuated such that the deflector arms 76, 78 are positioned in thelowered deflector position, the confidential sheets CS may be advancedbetween the upper guide members 85 and the lower guide members 82 of thedeflector arms 76, 78 and toward the sealing station 20. In addition,when the deflector arms 76, 78 are positioned in the lowered deflectorposition, the deflector arms 76, 78 cooperate to align the confidentialsheets CS therebetween. In particular, as the confidential sheets CS areadvanced between the deflector arm 76 and the deflector arm 78, analigning surface 77 (see FIG. 10) defined in each of the deflector arms76, 78 prevents lateral movement of the confidential sheets CS therebypreventing the confidential sheets CS from contacting adhesive sectionsdisposed on the lateral edge portions (see discussion below in regard toFIGS. 7A-7D) of the enclosure sheets ES.

As shown in FIG. 13, the sealing or envelope forming station 20 includesa D-shaped center or sealing roller 90, a support roller 92, and a pairof lateral edge sealers or rollers 94, 96. The sealing roller 90includes a pair of end portions 98, 100 non-rotatably secured thereto.The lateral edge rollers 94, 96 are rotatably supported on the endportions 98, 100, respectively. More specifically, each of the lateraledge rollers 94, 96 has an aperture 102 defined therein. The endportions 98, 100 are received into the apertures 102 of the lateral edgerollers 94, 96 thereby permitting the lateral edge rollers 94, 96 torotate independently or freely of the end portions 98, 100.

The sealing roller 90 is driven by a roller drive motor 104. Inparticular, a belt wheel 106 is non-rotatably coupled to the end portion100. The belt wheel 106 is operatively coupled to the roller drive motor104. More specifically, a belt wheel 108 is secured to an output shaft104a of the roller drive motor 104. The belt wheel 106 is coupled to thebelt wheel 108 via a belt 110. Hence, rotation of the output shaft 104acauses the belt 110 to be driven thereby causing the belt wheel 106 andhence the sealing roller 90 to be driven. The roller drive motor 104 isa bi-directional roller drive motor. Therefore, the roller drive motor104 may be operated such that the sealing roller 90 is driven in eitherthe clockwise or the counterclockwise direction.

Each of the lateral edge rollers 94, 96 has an edge roller gear 114,116, respectively, non-rotatably secured thereto. Similar to the lateraledge rollers 94, 96, each of the edge roller gears 114, 116 has anaperture 126 defined therein. The end portions 98, 100 of the sealingroller 90 are received into the apertures 126 of the edge roller gears114, 116, respectively, thereby permitting the edge roller gears 114,116 to rotate independently of the end portions 98, 100 of the sealingroller 90. It should be appreciated that the edge roller gears 114, 116and the lateral edge rollers 94, 96, respectively, may be embodied asseparate components in which the edge roller gears 114, 116 are fastened(e.g. welded) to the lateral edge rollers 94, 96, respectively.Alternatively, it should be appreciated that the lateral edge rollers94, 96 and the edge roller gears 114, 116, respectively, may be milledor otherwise machined from a single work piece thereby defining asingle, integral part.

A pair of end portions 118, 120 defined in the support roller 92 eachhas a support roller gear 122, 124, respectively, non-rotatably coupledthereto. The support roller gears 122, 124 are meshingly engaged withthe edge roller gears 114, 116, respectively. Moreover, the supportroller gears 122, 124 and the edge roller gears 114, 116 have a 1:1 gearratio. Therefore, rotation of a predetermined magnitude of the supportroller 92 and hence the support roller gears 122, 124 causes rotation ofthe same magnitude on the edge roller gears 114, 116 and hence thelateral edge rollers 94, 96.

The support roller 92 and the lateral edge rollers 94, 96 are driven bya roller drive motor 112. In particular, a belt wheel 128 isnon-rotatably coupled to the end portion 118. The belt wheel 128 isoperatively coupled to the roller drive motor 112. In particular, a beltwheel 130 is secured to an output shaft 112a of the roller drive motor112. The belt wheel 130 is coupled to the belt wheel 128 via a belt 132.Hence, rotation of the output shaft 112a causes the belt 132 to bedriven thereby causing the belt wheel 128, the support roller 92, andhence the support roller gears 122, 124 to be driven. As the supportroller gears 122, 124 are driven, the edge roller gears 114, 116 arealso driven thereby causing rotation of the lateral edge rollers 94, 96.

It should be appreciated that the support roller 92 and the lateral edgerollers 94, 96 cooperate in order to define a nip roller assembly 134.More specifically, a line of contact between the support roller 92 andthe lateral edge rollers 94, 96 defines a pinch line or nip which isprovided to advance the front enclosure sheet ES_(FRONT), the backenclosure sheet ES_(BACK), and the confidential sheets CS therebetween.Collectively, the feeding rollers 22 and 24 (see FIGS. 4-6), theadvancing roller 34 (see FIGS. 4-6), the scuffer assemblies 48 and 50(see FIG. 9), and the nip roller assembly 134 function as a sheetadvancing system of the document security apparatus 10.

As shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the enclosure sheets ES include a frontside 127 and a back side 129. Moreover, each of the enclosure sheets ESincludes a leading edge portion 131, and a trailing edge portion 133. Itshould be appreciated that the leading edge portion 131 of the enclosuresheet ES is the portion of the enclosure sheet ES which is firstadvanced into the sealing station 20 as the enclosure sheet ES isadvanced through the document security apparatus 10. Conversely, thetrailing edge portion 133 of the enclosure sheet ES is the portion ofthe enclosure sheet ES which is last advanced into the sealing station20 as the enclosure sheet ES is advanced through the document securityapparatus 10.

The enclosure sheet ES also includes a left lateral edge portion 135 anda right lateral edge portion 137, as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B. It shouldbe appreciated that the left lateral edge portion 135 of the enclosuresheet ES is the portion of the enclosure sheet ES which is advancedbetween, and therefore sealed by, the left lateral edge roller 94 andthe support roller 92. Conversely, the right lateral edge portion 137 ofthe enclosure sheet ES is the portion of the enclosure sheet ES which isadvanced between, and therefore sealed by, the right lateral edge roller96 and the support roller 92.

The enclosure sheets ES are non-transparent in 5 order to conceal theconfidential sheets CS from view. What is meant herein by the term"non-transparent" is that printed information on the confidential sheetsCS, when the confidential sheets CS are positioned or otherwise enclosedbetween two of the enclosure sheets ES, is not readily legible ordecipherable through the enclosure sheets ES. In order to furtherenhance confidentiality, the back side 129 of the enclosure sheets EShas a preprinted pattern 123 thereon, as shown in FIG. 7B. Thepreprinted pattern 123 enhances the non-transparent characteristics ofthe enclosure sheet ES. It should be appreciated that the preprintedpattern 123 is not printed by the print engine 32, but rather is printedon the back side 129 of the enclosure sheets ES prior to loading theenclosure sheets ES into the lower input tray 16. For example, thepreprinted pattern may be printed onto the back side 129 of theenclosure sheets ES by a supplier or vendor of the enclosure sheets ES.In addition, although the printed pattern 123 is shown as a repetitionof the word "CONFIDENTIAL", any word, phrase, logo, or other type ofimage may be used as the printed pattern 123. For example, the printedpattern 123 may include the corporate name and/or logo associated withthe office in which the document security apparatus 10 is beingoperated. It should be further appreciated that the non-transparentenclosure sheets ES may be completely devoid of any preprinted pattern123 thereon, and thus simply the type and thickness of the paper itselfrenders the enclosure sheets ES non-transparent. For example, whitesheets of paper, of the type and thickness that is normally used in aplain paper facsimile machine or photocopier, (e.g. item number 4024 DPpaper available from Xerox Corporation) may be used as thenon-transparent enclosure sheet ES assuming this type of sheet possessedthe appropriate size, and adhesive material positioned around itsperiphery as will be discussed below.

In particular, the front side 127 of the enclosure sheet ES includes anumber of pressure-sensitive adhesive sections 136, whereas the backside 129 of the enclosure sheets ES includes a number ofpressure-sensitive adhesive sections 138. The adhesive sections 136 donot overlap with the adhesive sections 138 in order to prevent adjacentenclosure sheets ES from sticking to one another when the enclosuresheets ES are positioned on top of one another in the lower input tray16. What is meant herein by the phrase "do not overlap" is that when twoenclosure sheets ES are stacked one on top of the other with (1) therespective front sides 127 thereof facing upwardly, and (2) therespective leading edge portions 131 thereof aligned, the adhesivesections 138 on the back side of the enclosure sheet ES that ispositioned on top does not contact the adhesive sections 136 on thefront side 127 of the enclosure sheet ES that is positioned on bottom.

Moreover, each of the enclosure sheets ES includes a pair of perforatedtear strips 147. Once the enclosure sheets ES have been sealed togetherwith a number of confidential sheets CS therebetween, the tear strips147 may later be removed in order to allow the confidential sheets CSsealed within the enclosure sheets ES to be removed.

As shown in FIG. 14A, the sealing roller or sealer 90 is substantiallyD-shaped having a flat side 90a and a curved side 90b. A sealing ridge140 is attached to the curved side 90b of the sealing roller 90. Thesealing ridge 140 continuously extends from a first end 95 of thesealing roller 90 to a second end 97 of the sealing roller 90. As shownin FIG. 14A, the sealing ridge includes a number of substantiallyV-shaped sections 140a. The sealing ridge 140 is provided to pinch orotherwise urge the adhesive sections 136 of the back enclosure sheetES_(BACK) into contact with the adhesive sections 138 of the frontenclosure sheet ES_(FRONT). In particular, the support roller 92 definesa support surface onto which the front enclosure sheet ES_(FRONT) andthe back enclosure sheet ES_(BACK) may be positioned for subsequentsealing thereof by rotating the sealing roller 90 such that the frontenclosure sheet ES_(FRONT) and the back enclosure sheet ES_(BACK) aresandwiched between the sealing ridge 140 and the support roller 92.

When the leading edge portion 131 of the back enclosure sheet ES_(BACK)and the leading edge portion 131 of the front enclosure sheet ES_(FRONT)are to be advanced to a positioned between the sealing roller 90 and thesupport roller 92 (see FIG. 21), the sealing roller 90 is positionedsuch that the sealing ridge 140 is spaced apart from the support roller92. More specifically, the sealing roller 90 and the sealing ridge 140define a sheet advancement gap 141, as shown in FIG. 22. The sheetadvancement gap 141 is defined as the area juxtaposed to the sealingroller 90 between an upper ridge point 143 and a lower ridge point 145(see FIG. 22). Hence, the leading edge portion 131 of the back enclosuresheet ES_(BACK) and the leading edge portion 131 of the front enclosuresheet ES_(FRONT) are advanced through the sheet advancement gap 141 andinto the nip of the nip roller assembly 134 in order to be positionedbetween the sealing roller 90 and the support roller 92.

Once advanced by the nip roller assembly 134 to a predetermined positionbetween the sealing roller 90 and the support roller 92, the backenclosure sheet ES_(BACK) and the front enclosure sheet ES_(FRONT) areheld stationary within the nip (see FIG. 9). In particular, the supportroller 92 is held stationary so as to prevent movement of the backenclosure sheet ES_(BACK) and the front enclosure sheet ES_(FRONT)relative to the upper plate 38 and the lower plate 40 of the bail system41. While the front enclosure sheet ES_(FRONT) and the back enclosuresheet ES_(BACK) are both held stationary within the nip, the sealingroller 90 is rotated such that the sealing ridge 140 is positioned in"operative contact" with the support roller 92 thereby urging theadhesive sections 136 within the leading edge portion 131 of the backenclosure sheet ES_(BACK) downwardly and into contact with the adhesivesections 138 within the leading edge portion 131 of the front enclosuresheet ES_(FRONT) (see FIG. 22) thereby sealing the leading edge portion131 of the back enclosure sheet ES_(BACK) to the leading edge portion131 of the front enclosure sheet ES_(FRONT) so as to define an envelope91 having an access opening 93 defined therein (see FIG. 31). In orderto provide meaning to the term "operative contact", it should be notedthat a first member (e.g. the sealing ridge 140, the left lateralsealing roller 94, etc.) is in operative contact with a second member(e.g. the support roller 92) when the first member cooperates with thesecond member so as to cause the adhesive sections 136 of the backenclosure sheet ES_(BACK) to be urged downwardly and into contact withthe adhesive sections 138 of the front enclosure sheet ES_(FRONT) so asto form a seal therebetween.

It should be appreciated that although the preferred embodiment isconfigured so as to hold the support roller 92 stationary duringrotation of the sealing roller 90, with minor modifications of thedocument security apparatus 10 (as described in more detail below),effective sealing may be achieved by rotating the support roller 92concurrently with rotation of the sealing roller 90 so as to producerelative slip therebetween. What is meant herein by the term "relativeslip" is that the sealing roller 90 is being rotated at a faster (orslower) speed than the support roller 92 such that pressure is appliedalong a lateral sealing line (i.e. a line which is perpendicular to thepath of movement of the enclosure sheets ES) while the front enclosuresheet ES_(FRONT) and the back enclosure sheet ES_(BACK) are heldstationary. For example, if the support roller 92 is being rotated at aspeed of X revolutions-per-minute, relative slip will be achievedtherebetween if the sealing roller 90 is rotated at a speed of 3×revolutions-per-minute. It should be appreciated that modification wouldneed to be made to the sealing station 20 in order to operate thesealing roller 90 and the support roller 92 in such a manner. Forexample, a separate clamping or holding device (not shown) may need tobe provided to hold both the front enclosure sheet ES_(FRONT) and theback enclosure sheet ES_(BACK) stationary relative to the upper plate 38and the lower plate 40 of the bail system 41 as the sealing roller 90and the support roller 92 are operated to produce relative sliptherebetween.

After sealing the leading edge portions 131 of the enclosure sheets ES,rotation of the sealing roller 90 is then ceased such that the sealingridge 140 is held in operative contact with the support roller 92thereby sandwiching the leading edge portion 131 of the back enclosuresheet ES_(BACK) and the leading edge portion 131 of the front enclosuresheet ES_(FRONT) between the sealing roller 90 and the support roller 92(see FIG. 23). The confidential sheets CS may then be advanced into theenvelope 91.

After the last confidential sheet is advanced into the envelope 91, thesealing roller 90 is then rotated to complete its sealing operationthereby resulting in the sealing roller 90 being rotated back to itsoriginal position (see FIG. 24) so that the back enclosure sheetES_(BACK) and the front enclosure sheet ES_(FRONT), along with theconfidential sheets CS therebetween, may be advanced through the sheetadvancement gap 141 in the general direction of arrow J of FIG. 24. Itshould be appreciated that as the back enclosure sheet ES_(BACK), thefront enclosure sheet ES_(FRONT), and the confidential sheets CS areadvanced in the general direction of arrow J, the left lateral edgeportion 135 of the back enclosure sheet ES_(BACK) is sealed to the leftlateral edge portion 135 of the front enclosure sheet ES_(FRONT) as theleft lateral edge portions 135 are advanced between the left lateraledge sealing roller 94 and the support roller 92. Moreover, as the backenclosure sheet ES_(BACK), the front enclosure sheet ES_(FRONT), and theconfidential sheets CS are advanced in the general direction of arrow J,the right lateral edge portion 137 of the back enclosure sheet ES_(BACK)is sealed to the right lateral edge portion 137 of the front enclosuresheet ES_(FRONT) as the right lateral edge portions 137 are advancedbetween the right lateral edge sealing roller 96 and the support roller92.

The back enclosure sheet ES_(BACK), the front nclosure sheet ES_(FRONT),and the confidential sheets CS continue to be advanced until thetrailing edge portion 133 of the back enclosure sheet ES_(BACK) and thetrailing edge portion 133 of the front enclosure sheet ES_(FRONT) arepositioned between the sealing roller 90 and the support roller 92 (seeFIGS. 25 and 26). Advancement is then halted and the back enclosuresheet ES_(BACK) and the front enclosure sheet ES_(FRONT) are heldstationary within the nip of the nip roller assembly 134. Thereafter,the sealing roller 90 may be rotated such that the sealing ridge 140 ispositioned in operative contact with the support roller 92 therebyurging the adhesive sections 136 of the back enclosure sheet ES_(BACK)into contact with the adhesive sections 138 of the front enclosure sheetES_(FRONT) (see FIG. 26) thereby sealing the trailing edge portion 133of the back enclosure sheet ES_(BACK) to the trailing edge portion 133of the front enclosure sheet ES_(FRONT). Collectively, the sealedenclosure sheets ES and the confidential sheets CS therebetween arereferred to as a sealed confidential packet CP, as shown in FIG. 7D.After sealing the trailing edge portion 133 of the back enclosure sheetES_(BACK) to the trailing edge portion 133 of the front enclosure sheetES_(FRONT), the sealed confidential packet CP is advanced by the niproller assembly 134 out of the sealing station 20 and into the outputtray 18 (see FIG. 1).

Various configurations of the sealing roller 90 are contemplated for usein the sealing station 20 of the document security apparatus 10. Forexample, the number and placement of the V-shaped sections 140a may bealtered, as shown in FIG. 15A, so that a single, large V-shaped sealingridge 140 extends continuously across the entire length of the sealingroller 90. Alternatively, the sealing ridge 140 may take the form of twoupside-down, generally V-shaped members which continuously extend acrossthe entire length of the sealing roller 90, as shown in FIG. 16A. Inaddition, as shown in FIGS. 14B, 15B, and 16B, the sealing ridge 140 mayalternatively be embodied as a series of sealing segments 140bpositioned in predetermined positions along the curved side 90b of thesealing roller 90 as opposed to a single, continuous member. Such aconfiguration reduces the potential for wrinkling of the enclosuresheets ES during sealing thereof.

Moreover, another embodiment of the sealing station 20 is shown in FIG.17. In particular, the sealing station 20 may include a lateral sealingassembly 218. The lateral sealing assembly 218 includes a carriage 220,a pair of rails 222, a sealing member or roller 224, and a pair of railsupports 226. The rails 222 are secured to the rail supports 226. Thecarriage 220 is slidably supported on the rails 222 in order to allowthe carriage 220 to slide or otherwise move along the rails 222 betweenthe left lateral edge portion 135 of the enclosure sheets ES and theright lateral edge portion 137 of the enclosure sheets ES.

The carriage 220 includes a shaft 228. The sealing roller 224 isrotatably secured to the shaft 228. The shaft 228 is disposedsubstantially perpendicular to the support roller 92. Hence, the sealingroller 224 rotates about an axis which is substantially perpendicular toan axis about which the support roller 92 rotates. Moreover, the shaft228 is secured to a solenoid (not shown) or similar device in order toallow the sealing roller 224 to be positioned between a raised position(as shown in phantom in FIG. 17) in which the sealing roller 224 isspaced apart from the support roller 92, and a lowered position in whichthe sealing roller 224 is biased toward and thereby operativelycontacting the support roller 92. When the sealing roller 224 ispositioned in the raised position, the front enclosure sheet ES_(FRONT)and the back enclosure sheet ES_(BACK) may be advanced through the nipof the nip roller assembly 134 such that the leading edge portions 131thereof are positioned between the sealing roller 224 and the supportroller 92. Thereafter, the sealing roller 224 may be positioned in itslowered position such that the leading edge portions 131 of the frontenclosure sheet ES_(FRONT) and the back enclosure sheet ES_(BACK) aresandwiched between the sealing roller 224 and the support roller 92. Thecarriage 220 is then advanced on the rails 222 such that the sealingroller 224 is moved along the leading edge portions 131 of the frontenclosure sheet ES_(FRONT) and the back enclosure sheet ES_(BACK). Inparticular, the sealing roller 224 moves between the left lateral edgeportion 135 and the right lateral edge portion 137 of the leading edgeportions 131 of the front enclosure sheet ES_(FRONT) and the backenclosure sheet ES_(BACK). When the above occurs, the adhesives 136 and138 along the leading edge portions 131 of the front enclosure sheetES_(FRONT) and the back enclosure sheet ES_(BACK) are urged into contactwith each other thereby sealing the leading edge portions 131 of thefront enclosure sheet ES_(FRONT) and the back enclosure sheet ES_(BACK)to one another so as to form the envelope 91.

Once the envelope 91 has been formed, the confidential sheets CS may beadvanced into the envelope 91. It should be appreciated that the sealingroller 224 may remain in the lowered position while the confidentialsheets CS are advanced into the envelope 91 in order to assist inholding the envelope 91 stationary.

After the last confidential sheet CS is advanced into the envelope 91,the sealing roller 224 is positioned in its raised position, and thefront enclosure sheet ES_(FRONT), the back enclosure sheet ES_(BACK),and the confidential sheets CS therebetween are advanced by the niproller assembly 134. As described above in regard to use of the sealingroller 92, when the front enclosure sheet ES_(FRONT), the back enclosuresheet ES_(BACK), and the confidential sheets CS therebetween areadvanced through the nip of the nip roller assembly 134, the lateraledge portions 135, 137 of the front enclosure sheet ES_(FRONT) and theback enclosure sheet ES_(BACK) are sealed to one another as the lateraledge portions 135, 137 are advanced between the lateral edge rollers 94,96 and the support roller 92, respectively.

Once the trailing edge portions 133 of the front enclosure sheetES_(FRONT) and the back enclosure sheet ES_(BACK) are positioned betweenthe sealing roller 224 and the support roller 92, advancement is halted,and the front enclosure sheet ES_(FRONT) and the back enclosure sheetES_(BACK) are held stationary. The sealing roller 224 is then againpositioned in its lowered position such that the trailing edge portions133 of the front enclosure sheet ES_(FRONT) and the back enclosure sheetES_(BACK) are sandwiched between the sealing roller 224 and the supportroller 92. The carriage 220 is then advanced on the rails 222 such thatthe sealing roller 224 is moved along the trailing edge portions 133 ofthe front enclosure sheet ES_(FRONT) and the back enclosure sheetES_(BACK). In particular, the sealing roller 224 moves between the leftlateral edge portion 135 and the right lateral edge portion 137 of thefront enclosure sheet ES_(FRONT) and the back enclosure sheet ES_(BACK)such that the adhesives 136 and 138 within the trailing edge portions133 thereof are urged into contact with each other thereby sealing thetrailing edge portions 133 of the front enclosure sheet ES_(FRONT) andthe back enclosure sheet ES_(BACK) to one another so as to form thesealed confidential packet CP. The sealing roller 224 is then againpositioned in the raised position, and the sealed confidential packet CPis then advanced by the nip roller assembly 134 out of the sealingstation 20 and into the output tray 18.

Referring now to FIG. 18, there is shown a simplified block diagram ofthe document security apparatus 10. A processing unit 180 iselectrically coupled to the roller drive motors 26, 27, 42, 104, and112, the diverter solenoid 46, the scuffer drive motors 54 and 66, andthe deflector solenoid 86. The processing unit is also electricallycoupled to a communications interface 186 and a print controller 182.The print controller 182 is in turn electrically coupled to the printengine 32, whereas the communications interface 186 and the processingunit 180 are both electrically coupled to a memory device 184.

The processing unit 180 is electrically coupled to the roller drivemotor 26 (see FIGS. 1 and 3) via a control line 188. The processing unit180 selectively generates a control signal on the control line 188 whichcauses rotation of an output shaft of the roller drive motor 26.Rotation of the output shaft of the roller drive motor 26 causes thebelt 28 (see FIGS. 1 and 3) to be advanced thereby causing the upperfeeding roller 22 (see FIGS. 4-6) to be rotated. Hence, when theprocessing unit 180 generates a control signal on the control line 188,the feeding roller 22 is rotated thereby causing one of the confidentialsheets CS to be advanced out of the upper input tray 14.

Similarly, the processing unit 180 is electrically coupled to the rollerdrive motor 27 (see FIGS. 2 and 3) via a control line 190. Theprocessing unit 180 selectively generates a control signal on thecontrol line 190 which causes rotation of an output shaft of the rollerdrive motor 27. Rotation of the output shaft of the roller drive motor27 causes the belt 30 (see FIGS. 2 and 3) to be advanced thereby causingthe lower feeding roller 24 (see FIGS. 4-6) to be rotated. Hence, whenthe processing unit 180 generates a control signal on the control line190, the feeding roller 24 is rotated thereby causing one of theenclosure sheets ES to be advanced out of the lower input tray 16.

The processing unit 180 is electrically coupled to the roller drivemotor 42 (see FIGS. 1 and 3) via a control line 192. The processing unit180 selectively generates a control signal on the control line 192 whichcauses rotation of an output shaft of the roller drive motor 42.Rotation of the output shaft of the roller drive motor 42 causes thebelt 44 (see FIGS. 1 and 3) to be advanced thereby causing the advancingroller 34 (see FIGS. 4-6) to be rotated. Hence, when the processing unit180 generates a control signal on the control line 192, the advancingroller 34 is rotated thereby permitting one of the confidential sheetsCS or one of the enclosure sheets ES to be advanced out of the printengine 32, through the diverter 36, and onto either the upper plate 38or the lower plate 40.

The processing unit 180 is electrically coupled to the diverter solenoid46 (see FIGS. 2 and 3) via a control line 194. The processing unit 180selectively generates a control signal on the control line 194 whichcauses the diverter solenoid 46 to be actuated. Actuation of thediverter solenoid 46 causes the diverter 36 to be switched between thefirst diverter position (see FIGS. 4 and 6) and the second diverterposition (see FIG. 5). Hence, when the processing unit 180 generates acontrol signal on the control line 194, the diverter 36 may bepositioned in the first diverter position thereby causing the frontenclosure sheet ES_(FRONT) or one of the confidential sheets CS that isbeing advanced by the advancing roller 34 to be diverted onto the lowerplate 40. Alternatively, when the processing unit 180 generates acontrol signal on the control line 194, the diverter 36 may bepositioned in the second diverter position thereby causing the backenclosure sheet ES_(BACK) that is being advanced by the advancing roller34 to be diverted onto the upper plate 38.

The processing unit 180 is electrically coupled to the scuffer drivemotor 54 (see FIG. 9) via a control line 196. The processing unit 180selectively generates a control signal on the control line 196 whichcauses rotation of an output shaft 54a of the scuffer drive motor 54. Asdescribed above, the scuffer drive motor 54 is preferably embodied as astepper motor. Hence, when the processing unit 180 generates a controlsignal on the control line 196, the output shaft 54a of the scufferdrive motor 54 is rotated a predetermined distance so as to cause thescuffer wheel 52 to likewise be rotated a predetermined distance.Therefore, when the processing unit 180 generates a stream of controlsignals on the control line 196, the scuffer wheel 52 is rotated in apulsing manner such that the back enclosure sheet ES_(BACK) is nudgedalong the upper plate 38 in order to continuously urge the leading edgeportion 131 thereof into the nip of the nip roller assembly 134.

The processing unit 180 is electrically coupled to the scuffer drivemotor 66 (see FIG. 9) via a control line 198. The processing unit 180selectively generates a control signal on the control line 198 whichcauses rotation of an output shaft 66a of the scuffer drive motor 66. Asdescribed above, the scuffer drive motor 66 is preferably embodied as astepper motor. Hence, when the processing unit 180 generates a controlsignal on the control line 198, the output shaft 66a of the scufferdrive motor 66 is rotated a predetermined distance so as to cause thescuffer wheel 64 to likewise be rotated a predetermined distance.Therefore, when the processing unit 180 generates a stream of controlsignals on the control line 198, the scuffer wheel 64 is rotated in apulsing manner such that the front enclosure sheet ES_(FRONT) is nudgedalong the lower plate 40 and under the deflector arms 76, 78 of thesheet guiding assembly 74 in order to continuously urge the leading edgeportion 131 thereof into the nip of the nip roller assembly 134.Moreover, when the processing unit 180 generates a stream of controlsignals on the control line 198, the scuffer wheel 64 is rotated in apulsing manner such that one of the confidential sheets CS is nudgedalong the front enclosure sheet ES_(FRONT) positioned on the lower plate40 and into the envelope 91 defined by the front enclosure sheetES_(FRONT) and the back enclosure sheet ES_(BACK).

The processing unit 180 is electrically coupled to the deflectorsolenoid 86 (see FIGS. 2 and 3) via a control line 200. The processingunit 180 selectively generates a control signal on the control line 200which causes the deflector solenoid 86 to be actuated. Actuation of thedeflector solenoid 86 causes the deflector arms 76, 78 to be switchedbetween the raised deflector position (see FIG. 11) and the lowereddeflector position (see FIG. 12). Hence, when the processing unit 180generates a control signal on the control line 200, the deflector arms76, 78 may be positioned in the raised deflector position therebypermitting the front enclosure sheet ES_(FRONT) to be advanced along thelower plate 40 under the deflector arms 76, 78, and into the nip of thenip roller assembly 134. Alternatively, when the processing unit 180generates a control signal on the control line 200, the deflector arms76, 78 may be positioned in the lowered deflector position therebypermitting the confidential sheets CS to be advanced between the upperguide members 85 and the lower guide members 82 (see FIG. 12) of thedeflector arms 76, 78, and into the envelope 91 defined by the frontenclosure sheet ES_(FRONT) and the back enclosure sheet ES_(BACK).

The processing unit 180 is electrically coupled to the bi-directionalroller drive motor 104 (see FIG. 13) via a control line 202. Theprocessing unit 180 selectively generates control signals on the controlline 202 which cause rotation of the output shaft 104a of the rollerdrive motor 104. Rotation of the output shaft 104a of the roller drivemotor 104 causes the belt wheel 108 to be likewise rotated therebycausing the belt 110 to be advanced. Advancement of the belt 110 causesthe belt wheel 106 to be rotated, which in turn rotates the sealingroller 90 (see FIG. 13). Hence, when the processing unit 180 generates afirst control signal on the control line 202, the sealing roller 90 maybe advanced in the clockwise direction thereby causing the sealing ridge140 of the sealing roller 90 to contact the leading edge portions 131 orthe trailing edge portions 133 of the enclosure sheets ES positionedbetween the sealing roller 90 and the support roller 92. Alternatively,when the processing unit 180 generates a second control signal on thecontrol line 202, the sealing roller 90 may be advanced in thecounterclockwise direction thereby causing the sealing roller 90 to berotated such that the front enclosure sheet ES_(FRONT) and the backenclosure sheet ES_(BACK) may be advanced through the advancement gap141.

The processing unit 180 is electrically coupled to the roller drivemotor 112 (see FIG. 13) via a control line 204. The processing unit 180selectively generates a control signal on the control line 204 whichcauses rotation of the output shaft 112a of the roller drive motor 112.Rotation of the output shaft 112a of the roller drive motor 112 causesthe belt wheel 130 to be likewise rotated thereby causing the belt 132to be advanced. Advancement of the belt 132 causes the belt wheel 128 tobe rotated which in turn rotates the support roller 92 and the lateraledge rollers 94, 96 (see FIG. 13). Hence, when the processing unit 180generates a control signal on the control line 204, the support roller92 and the lateral edge rollers 94, 96 are advanced thereby causing theenclosure sheets ES to be advanced through the nip of the nip rollerassembly 134.

The processing unit 180 is electrically coupled to the print controller182 via a bus 206. The print controller 182 includes the processinghardware needed to control the print engine 32. In particular, the printcontroller 182 includes a number of processors, such as a raster imageprocessor (not shown), and memory devices (not shown) which are neededto enable the print engine 32 to print information on the enclosuresheets ES and the confidential sheets CS as they are advanced throughthe print engine 32. More specifically, the print controller 182 isprovided to convert graphics and/or text data from the processing unit180 into a raster or bit-mapped image for use by the print engine 32.

The print controller 182 is electrically coupled to the print engine 32via a bus 208. The print controller 182 sends data indicative of thebit-mapped image to the print engine 32 via the bus 208 thereby causingthe print engine 32 to print the image on one of the enclosure sheets ESor the confidential sheets CS being advanced through the print engine32. Hence, the processing unit 180 sends data (i.e. graphics and/or textdata) to the print controller 182 via the bus 206. Thereafter, the printcontroller 182 converts the data into a bit-mapped image which istransmitted for printing to the print engine 32 via the bus 208.

The processing unit 180 is electrically coupled to the communicationsinterface 186 via a bus 211. In addition, the processing unit 180 andthe communications interface 186 are electrically coupled to the memorydevice 184 via a pair of buses 210 and 212, respectively. Hence, theprocessing unit 180 may communicate with the communications interface186 via the bus 211 so as to control the receipt and storage of dataassociated with a facsimile transmission into the memory device 184.

The communications interface 186 is also coupled to a data input line214. The data input line 214 may be any signal line which is capable oftransmitting digitized images for use by the communications interface186. For example, the data input line 214 may be a standard telephoneline.

The communications interface 186 includes the hardware needed to receivedata associated with the various images included in a facsimiletransmission, and thereafter convert such data into a format suitablefor presentation to the processing unit 180. In particular, dataassociated with a facsimile transmission is received and converted bythe communications interface 186, and thereafter stored in the memorydevice 184. The stored data may then be selectively retrieved from thememory device 184 by the processing unit 180 in order to be presented tothe print controller 182 for subsequent printing onto one of theenclosure sheets ES or the confidential sheets CS by the print engine32.

Referring now to FIG. 19, there is shown a flowchart which sets forth ageneral procedure 250 for printing and sealing a confidential facsimiletransmission with the document security apparatus 10. Prior to when theconfidential facsimile transmission is transmitted to the documentsecurity apparatus 10 via the data input line 214, the document securityapparatus 10 is in an idle state (step 252). Once the confidentialfacsimile transmission begins to be transmitted to the document securityapparatus 10, the routine 250 advances to step 254.

In step 254, the document security apparatus 10 communicates with asending facsimile machine (not shown). In particular, the communicationsinterface 186 of the document security apparatus 10 communicates withthe sending facsimile machine in order to receive the confidentialfacsimile transmission. The communications interface 186 then convertsthe received facsimile transmission into a format suitable forpresentation to the processing unit 180, and thereafter stores thefacsimile transmission in the memory device 184.

At the completion of, or concurrently with the receive and store step254, the routine 250 advances to step 256 in which the processing unit180 retrieves the converted data associated with the confidentialfacsimile transmission from the memory device 184, prints theconfidential facsimile transmission with the print engine 32, and sealsthe printed confidential facsimile transmission so as to create thesealed confidential packet CP (see FIG. 7D). At the completion of step256, the routine 250 advances to step 258 in which the document securityapparatus 10 advances the sealed confidential packet CP into the outputtray 18 for subsequent storage thereof prior to retrieval of the sealedconfidential packet CP by a user. At the completion of step 258, theroutine 250 returns to step 252 in which the document security apparatus10 remains in the idle state until a subsequent confidential facsimiletransmission is transmitted thereto via the data input line 214.

Referring now to FIG. 20, there is shown a flowchart setting forth step256 in greater detail. After completion of step 254 (see FIG. 19) iscompleted, the routine 256 advances to step 260. In step 260, theprocessing unit 180 causes one of the enclosure sheets ES to be advancedout of the lower input tray 16 and into the print engine 32. Inparticular, the processing unit generates a control signal on thecontrol line 190 thereby actuating the roller drive motor 27 which inturn drives the feeding roller 24. As the feeding roller 24 is driven,the enclosure sheet ES is advanced into the print engine 32. Theenclosure sheet ES advanced into the print engine 32 in step 260 is tobecome the front enclosure sheet ES_(FRONT) (see FIG. 7C) of the sealedconfidential packet CP (see FIG. 7D). The routine 256 then advances tostep 262.

In step 262, the processing unit retrieves the data associated with afirst page of the facsimile transmission which is stored in the memorydevice 184. In particular, the processing unit 180 generates a controlsignal on the bus 210 which instructs the memory device 184 to retrievean electronic file associated with the image of the first page of thefacsimile transmission. As shown in FIG. 7C, the first page of thefacsimile transmission typically includes a banner 216. The banner 216may include information such as the name of a recipient, the date, therecipient's company, the destination facsimile number, and a briefintroductory message from the sender. The routine 256 then advances tostep 264.

In step 264, the first page of the facsimile transmission, including thebanner 216, is printed on the front side 127 of the front enclosuresheet ES_(FRONT) (see FIG. 7C). In particular, the processing unit 180sends the data associated with the first page of the facsimiletransmission to the print controller 182 via the bus 206. Thereafter,the print controller 182 communicates with the print engine 32 therebycausing the first page of the facsimile transmission to be printed onthe front side 127 of the front enclosure sheet ES_(FRONT) in the mannerpreviously described. It should be appreciated that the front side 127of the front enclosure sheet ES_(FRONT) on which the first page of thefacsimile transmission is printed is to become an exterior surface ofthe envelope 91 (see FIG. 31), whereas the unprinted back side 129 ofthe front enclosure sheet ES_(FRONT) is to become an interior surface ofthe envelope 91. The routine 256 then advances to step 266.

In step 266, the processing unit 180 causes the front enclosure sheetES_(FRONT) to be advanced along a front enclosure sheet paper path (seeFIG. 4). In particular, the processing unit 180 generates a controlsignal on the control line 192 thereby actuating the roller drive motor42 which in turn drives the advancing roller 34. As the advancing roller34 is driven, the front enclosure sheet ES_(FRONT) is advanced out ofthe print engine 32. The processing unit 180 then generates a controlsignal on the control line 194 thereby causing the diverter solenoid 46to be actuated such that the diverter 36 is positioned in the firstdiverter position, as shown in FIG. 4. When the diverter 36 ispositioned in the first diverter position, the front enclosure sheetES_(FRONT) is advanced along the lower plate 40 such that the front side127 thereof is facing downwardly and in contact with the lower plate 40.

The processing unit 180 also generates control signals on the controlline 198 thereby causing the scuffer drive motor 66 to be actuated. Asdescribed above, actuation of the scuffer drive motor 66 causes thefront enclosure sheet ES_(FRONT) to be nudged along the lower plate 40.Moreover, the processing unit 180 generates a control signal on thecontrol line 200 thereby actuating the deflector solenoid 86 such thatthe deflector arms 76, 78 are positioned in the raised deflectorposition (see FIG. 11) so that the front enclosure sheet ES_(FRONT) maybe advanced thereunder. The routine 256 then advances to step 268.

In step 268, the leading edge portion 131 of the front enclosure sheetES_(FRONT) is advanced into the nip of the nip roller assembly 134 (seeFIG. 8). In particular, the processing unit 180 generates a controlsignal on the control line 204 which actuates the roller motor 112 (seeFIG. 13). Actuation of the roller motor 112 causes the support roller 92and hence the lateral edge rollers 94, 96 to be rotated thereby causingthe leading edge portion 131 of the front enclosure sheet ES_(FRONT) tobe advanced into the nip of the nip roller assembly 134. As shown inFIG. 27, the front enclosure sheet ES_(FRONT) is advanced apredetermined distance into the nip. Such advancement is performed sothat the adhesive sections 138 on the back side 129 of the frontenclosure sheet ES_(FRONT) may be aligned with the adhesive sections 136on the front side 127 of the back enclosure sheet ES_(BACK) when theback enclosure sheet ES_(BACK) is advanced into the nip (see FIG. 21),as described in more detail below. The routine 256 then advances to step270.

In step 270, a second enclosure sheet ES is advanced out of the lowerinput tray 16 and along a back enclosure sheet paper path, as shown inFIG. 5. In particular, the processing unit generates a control signal onthe control line 190 thereby actuating the roller drive motor 27 whichin turn drives the feeding roller 24. As the feeding roller 24 isdriven, the second enclosure sheet ES is advanced out of the lower inputtray 16 and into the print engine 32. The enclosure sheet ES advancedinto the print engine 32 in step 270 is to become the back enclosuresheet ES_(BACK) of the sealed confidential packet CP (see FIG. 7D).

Information associated with a page of the facsimile transmission is notprinted on the back enclosure sheet ES_(BACK) as it is advanced throughthe print engine 32. In particular, the processing unit 180 does notsend data associated with the second page of the facsimile transmissionto the print controller 182 for subsequent printing onto the backenclosure sheet ES_(BACK), but rather the data associated with thesecond page of the facsimile transmission is maintained in the memorydevice 184 in order to be printed in step 280 below.

Hence, in step 270 the back enclosure sheet ES_(BACK) is advancedthrough the print engine 32 by the advancing rollers (not shown)associated with the print engine 32, and thereafter the processing unit180 generates a control signal on the control line 192 thereby actuatingthe roller drive motor 42 which in turn drives the advancing roller 34.As the advancing roller 34 is driven, the back enclosure sheet ES_(BACK)is advanced out of the print engine 32. The processing unit 180 thengenerates a control signal on the control line 194 thereby causing thediverter solenoid 46 to be actuated such that the diverter 36 ispositioned in the second diverter position as shown in FIG. 5. When thediverter 36 is positioned in the second diverter position, the backenclosure sheet ES_(BACK) is advanced along the upper plate 38 such thatthe front side 127 thereof is facing downwardly and in contact with theupper plate 38.

The processing unit 180 also generates control signals on the controlline 196 thereby causing the scuffer drive motor 54 to be actuated. Asdescribed above, actuation of the scuffer drive motor 54 causes the backenclosure sheet ES_(BACK) to be nudged along the upper plate 38 and intothe sealing station 20. The routine 256 then advances to step 272.

In step 272, the leading edge portion 131 of the back enclosure sheetES_(BACK) is advanced into the nip of the nip roller assembly 134. Inparticular, the processing unit 180 generates a control signal on thecontrol line 204 which actuates the roller motor 112 (see FIG. 13).Actuation of the roller motor 112 causes the support roller 92 and hencethe lateral edge rollers 94, 96 to be rotated thereby causing theleading edge portion 131 of the back enclosure sheet ES_(BACK), alongwith the leading edge 131 portion of the front enclosure sheetES_(FRONT), to be advanced in concert into the nip. As shown in FIGS. 28and 31, when the back enclosure sheet ES_(BACK) is advanced toward thenip of the nip roller assembly 134, the pocket 43 is created into whicha number of confidential sheets CS may later be advanced. The backenclosure sheet ES_(BACK) is then advanced further into the nip so thatthe adhesive sections 136 disposed on the leading edge portion 131thereof align with the adhesive sections 138 disposed on the leadingedge portion 131 of the front enclosure sheet ES_(FRONT) which isalready positioned in the nip (see FIG. 21). The routine 256 thenadvances to step 274.

In step 274, the leading edge portion 131 of the front enclosure sheetES_(FRONT) is sealed to the leading edge portion 131 of the backenclosure sheet ES_(BACK). In particular, the processing unit 180generates a control signal on the control line 202 which actuates theroller motor 104 (see FIG. 13). As shown in FIGS. 22 and 29, actuationof the roller motor 104 causes the sealing roller 90 to be rotatedthereby causing the sealing ridge 140 of the sealing roller 90 to berotated into contact with the leading edge portions 131 of the frontenclosure sheet ES_(FRONT) and the back enclosure sheet ES_(BACK). Inparticular, as the sealing ridge 140 of the sealing roller 90 isrotated, the adhesive sections 136 on the front side 127 of the backenclosure sheet ES_(BACK) are urged into contact with the adhesivesections 138 on the back side 129 of the front enclosure sheetES_(FRONT) thereby sealing the leading edge portions 131 of the frontenclosure sheet ES_(FRONT) and the back enclosure sheet ES_(BACK) to oneanother. As shown in FIG. 29, when the leading edge portions 131 of thefront enclosure sheet ES_(FRONT) and the back enclosure sheet ES_(BACK)are sealed to one another, the envelope 91 is formed. The sealing roller90 is then maintained in a position such that the sealing ridge 140contacts the back enclosure sheet ES_(BACK) and the front enclosuresheet ES_(FRONT), as shown in FIG. 29, during the subsequent advancementof the confidential sheets CS into the envelope 91 as described below.The routine 256 then advances to step 276.

In step 276, one of the plain-paper, unprinted confidential sheets CS isadvanced out of the upper input tray 14 and into the print engine 32. Inparticular, the processing unit 180 generates a control signal on thecontrol line 188 thereby actuating the roller drive motor 26 which inturn drives the feeding roller 22. As the feeding roller 22 is driven,the confidential sheet CS is advanced out of the upper input tray 14 andinto the print engine 32. The routine 256 then advances to step 278.

In step 278, the processing unit 180 retrieves data associated with anext page of the facsimile transmission which is stored in the memorydevice 184. In particular, the processing unit 180 generates a controlsignal on the bus 210 which instructs the memory device 184 to retrievean electronic file associated with the image of the next page of thefacsimile transmission. For example, the processing unit 180 retrievesthe electronic file associated with the second page of the facsimiletransmission when the first confidential sheet CS is positioned in theprint engine 32, the third page of the facsimile transmission when thesecond confidential sheet CS is positioned in the print engine 32, andso on. The routine 256 then advances to step 280.

In step 280, the next page of the facsimile transmission is printed onthe confidential sheet CS. In particular, the processing unit 180 sendsthe data associated with the next page of the facsimile transmission tothe print controller 182 via the bus 206. Thereafter, the printcontroller 182 communicates with the print engine 32 thereby causing theinformation associated with the next page of the facsimile transmissionto be printed on the confidential sheet CS. For example, the firstconfidential sheet CS is advanced into the print engine 32 has thesecond page of the facsimile transmission printed thereon (with thefirst page of the facsimile transmission having been printed on thefront enclosure sheet ES_(FRONT)), the second confidential sheet CSadvanced into the print engine 32 has the third page of the facsimiletransmission printed thereon, and so on. The routine 256 then advancesto step 282.

In step 282, the confidential sheet CS is advanced along a confidentialsheet paper path (see FIG. 6). In particular, the processing unit 180generates a control signal on the control line 192 thereby actuating theroller drive motor 42 which in turn drives the advancing roller 34. Asthe advancing roller 34 is driven, the confidential sheet CS is advancedout of the print engine 32 in the direction of the arrows shown in FIG.6. The processing unit 180 then generates a control signal on thecontrol line 194 thereby causing the diverter solenoid 46 to be actuatedsuch that the diverter 36 is positioned in the first diverter positionas shown in FIG. 6. When the diverter 36 is positioned in the firstdiverter position, the confidential sheet CS is advanced along the lowerplate 40 such that a front side thereof (i.e. the side that was printedon in step 280) is facing downwardly and in contact with the back side129 of the front enclosure sheet ES_(FRONT) which is positioned on thebottom plate 40.

The processing unit 180 also generates control signals on the controlline 198 thereby causing the scuffer drive motor 66 to be actuated. Asdescribed above, actuation of the scuffer drive motor 66 causes theconfidential sheets CS to be nudged along the front enclosure sheetES_(FRONT) positioned on the lower plate 40. Moreover, the processingunit 180 generates a control signal on the control line 200 therebyactuating the deflector solenoid 86 such that the deflector arms 76, 78are positioned in the lowered deflector position (see FIG. 12) such thatthe confidential sheet CS may be advanced between the upper guidemembers 85 and the lower guide members 82. The routine 256 then advancesto step 284.

In step 284, the confidential sheet CS is advanced within the envelope91. In particular, the processing unit continues to generate controlsignals on the control line 198 such that the stepper or scuffer drivemotor 66 nudges the confidential sheet CS within the envelope 91 definedby the front enclosure sheet ES_(FRONT) and the back enclosure sheetES_(BACK). Thereafter, the routine 256 advances to step 286.

In step 286, the processing unit 180 determines if there is another pageassociated with the facsimile transmission. In particular, theprocessing unit 180 generates a signal on the bus 210 which is sent tothe memory device 184 in order to query the memory device 184 as to ifdata associated with another page of the facsimile device is storedtherein. If there is another page associated with the facsimiletransmission, the routine 256 advances to step 276 in order to advanceanother one of the confidential sheets CS into the print engine 32 forprinting. If there is not another page associated with the facsimiletransmission, the routine 256 advances to step 288.

In step 288, the lateral edge portions 135, 137 of the front enclosuresheet ES_(FRONT) and the back enclosure sheet ES_(BACK) are sealed toone another. In particular, the processing unit 180 generates a controlsignal on the control line 204 thereby causing actuation of the rollermotor 112. Actuation of the roller motor 112 causes rotation of thesupport roller 92 and the lateral edge rollers 94, 96 thereby causingthe front enclosure sheet ES_(FRONT), the back enclosure sheetES_(BACK), and the confidential sheets CS therebetween to be advancedthrough the nip of the nip roller assembly 134. As described above, thelateral edge portions 135, 137 are advanced between the lateral edgerollers 94, 96 and the support roller 92, respectively. As a result, theadhesive sections 136, 138 along the lateral edge portions 135, 137 areurged into contact with one another thereby sealing the lateral edgeportions 135, 137. Once the lateral edge portions 135, 137 have beensealed, the routine 256 advances to step 290.

In step 290, the trailing edge portions 133 of the front enclosure sheetES_(FRONT) and the back enclosure sheet ES_(BACK) are sealed to oneanother. In particular, when the trailing edge portions 133 of the frontenclosure sheet ES_(FRONT) and the back enclosure sheet ES_(BACK) arepositioned between the sealing roller 90 and the support roller 92, theprocessing unit 180 ceases to generate a control signal on the controlline 204 thereby ceasing advancement of the front enclosure sheetES_(FRONT) and the back enclosure sheet ES_(BACK). Thereafter, theprocessing unit 180 generates a control signal on the control line 202which actuates the roller motor 104 (see FIG. 13). As shown in FIGS. 25and 26, actuation of the roller motor 104 causes the sealing roller 90to be rotated thereby causing the sealing ridge 140 of the sealingroller 90 to be rotated into contact with the trailing edge portions 133of the front enclosure sheet ES_(FRONT) and the back enclosure sheetES_(BACK). In particular, as the sealing ridge 140 of the sealing roller90 is rotated, the adhesive sections 136 on the front side 127 of theback enclosure sheet ES_(BACK) are urged into contact with the adhesivesections 138 on the back side 129 of the front enclosure sheetES_(FRONT) thereby sealing the trailing edge portions 133 of the frontenclosure sheet ES_(FRONT) and the back enclosure sheet ES_(BACK) to oneanother thereby creating the sealed confidential packet CP (see FIG.7D). Once the trailing edge portions 133 of the front enclosure sheetES_(FRONT) and the back enclosure sheet ES_(BACK) are sealed to oneanother, the routine 256 advances to step 300.

In step 300, the sealed confidential packet CP is advanced out of thesealing station 20 and into the output tray 18. In particular, theprocessing unit 180 generates a control signal on the control line 204thereby causing actuation of the roller motor 112. Actuation of theroller motor 112 causes rotation of the support roller 92 and thelateral edge rollers 94, 96 thereby causing the sealed confidentialpacket CP to be advanced through the nip of the nip roller assembly 134and into the output tray 18.

Referring now to FIGS. 32-35, there is shown a document securityapparatus 310 which is a second embodiment of the present invention. Thedocument security apparatus 310 is somewhat similar to the documentsecurity apparatus 10. Thus, the same reference numerals are used inFIGS. 32-35 to designate common components which were previouslydiscussed in regard to FIGS. 1-31.

The document security apparatus 310 is configured in order to be coupledto a separate document reproduction machine 312, such as a laserprinter. In particular, the document security apparatus 310 does notinclude an internal print engine (such as the print engine 32 of thedocument security apparatus 10), but rather works in conjunction with aprint engine 314 included in the laser printer 312. Although thedocument reproduction machine 312 is described as a laser printer, itshould be appreciated that document security apparatus 10 may be coupledto other types of document reproduction machines such as a photocopymachine or a facsimile machine.

A number of the components embodied within document security apparatus10 are included in the laser printer 312 shown in FIGS. 32-35. Inparticular, the upper input tray 14, the lower input tray 16, thefeeding rollers 22, and the feeding rollers 24 are included in the laserprinter 12. Also, the document security apparatus 310 may be embodiedwith a number of additional components as compared to the documentsecurity apparatus 10. In particular, a component interface 386 may beprovided to permit the processing unit 180 of the document securityapparatus 310 to communicate with a print controller 382 of the laserprinter 312. Additionally, it should be appreciated that the componentinterface 386 is electrically coupled to both the processing unit 180and the print controller 382 in a known manner.

Operation of the document security apparatus 310 shall now be discussedin detail. In order to provide confidentiality to a printing operationbeing performed by the laser printer 312, an enclosure sheet ES is firstadvanced out of the lower input tray 16 and into the print engine 314.In particular, the processing unit 180 generates a control signal whichcauses the feeding roller 24 of the laser printer 312 to be driven. Asthe feeding roller 24 is driven, the enclosure sheet ES is advanced intothe print engine 314. The enclosure sheet ES first advanced into theprint engine 314 is to become the front enclosure sheet ES_(FRONT) (seeFIG. 7C) of the sealed confidential packet CP (see FIG. 7D) whichincludes information associated with the printing operation beingperformed by the laser printer 312. Once advanced into the print engine314, information associated with a first page of the printing operationis then printed on the front side 127 of the front enclosure sheetES_(FRONT) (see FIG. 7C) It should be appreciated that the front side127 of the front enclosure sheet ES_(FRONT), on which the first page ofthe printing operation is printed, is to become the exterior surface ofthe envelope 91, whereas the unprinted back side 129 of the frontenclosure sheet ES_(FRONT) is to become the interior surface of theenvelope 91.

The front enclosure sheet ES_(FRONT) is then advanced along a frontenclosure sheet paper path (see FIG. 32). In particular, the processingunit 180 generates a control signal which causes the advancing roller 34to be driven. As the advancing roller 34 is driven, the front enclosuresheet ES_(FRONT) is advanced out of the print engine 314, and out of thelaser printer 312. The processing unit 180 then generates a controlsignal which causes the diverter 36 to be positioned in the firstdiverter position, as shown in FIG. 32. When the diverter 36 ispositioned in the first diverter position, the front enclosure sheetES_(FRONT) is advanced along the lower plate 40 such that the front side127 thereof is facing downwardly and in contact with the lower plate 40.

The processing unit 180 then generates control signals which cause thescuffer drive motor 66 to be actuated. As described above, actuation ofthe scuffer drive motor 66 causes the front enclosure sheet ES_(FRONT)to be nudged along the lower plate 40. The processing unit 180 thengenerates a control signal such that the sheet guiding assembly 74 (i.e.the deflector arms 76, 78) is positioned in the raised deflectorposition (see FIG. 11) so that the front enclosure sheet ES_(FRONT) maybe advanced thereunder.

The leading edge portion 131 of the front enclosure sheet ES_(FRONT) isthen advanced into the nip of the nip roller assembly 134 of the sealingstation 20.

As described above, the front enclosure sheet ES_(FRONT) is advanced apredetermined distance into the nip so that the adhesive sections 138 onthe back side 129 thereof may be aligned with the adhesive sections 136on the front side 127 of the back enclosure sheet ES_(BACK) when theback enclosure sheet ES_(BACK) is advanced into the nip (see FIG. 21),as described in more detail below.

A second enclosure sheet ES is then advanced out of the lower input tray16 and along a back enclosure sheet paper path, as shown in FIG. 33. Inparticular, the processing unit 180 generates a control signal whichcauses the feeding roller 24 of the laser printer 312 to be driven. Asthe feeding roller 24 is driven, the second enclosure sheet ES isadvanced out of the lower input tray 16 and into the print engine 314.The second enclosure sheet ES advanced into the print engine 314 is tobecome the back enclosure sheet ES_(BACK) of the sealed confidentialpacket CP (see FIG. 7D). As discussed above in regard to the documentsecurity apparatus 10, information associated with a page of theprinting operation is not printed on the back enclosure sheet ES_(BACK)as it is advanced through the print engine 314.

The processing unit 180 then generates a control signal which causes theadvancing roller 34 to be driven. As the advancing roller 34 is driven,the back enclosure sheet ES_(BACK) is advanced out of the print engine314, and out of the laser printer 312. The processing unit 180 thengenerates a control signal which causes the diverter 36 to be positionedin the second diverter position, as shown in FIG. 33. When the diverter36 is positioned in the second diverter position, the back enclosuresheet ES_(BACK) is advanced along the upper plate 38 such that the frontside 127 thereof is facing downwardly and in contact with the upperplate 38.

The processing unit 180 then generates control signals which cause thescuffer drive motor 54 to be actuated. As described above, actuation ofthe scuffer drive motor 54 causes the back enclosure sheet ES_(BACK) tobe nudged along the upper plate 38 and into the sealing station 20. Asshown in FIGS. 28 and 31, when the back enclosure sheet ES_(BACK) ispositioned on the upper plate 38 and the front enclosure sheetES_(FRONT) is positioned on the lower plate 40, the pocket 43 is createdinto which a number of confidential sheets CS may later be advanced.

The leading edge portion 131 of the back enclosure sheet ES_(BACK) isthen advanced into the nip of the nip roller assembly 134 therebycausing the leading edge portion 131 of the back enclosure sheetES_(BACK), along with the leading edge 131 portion of the frontenclosure sheet ES_(FRONT), to be advanced in concert into the nip. Theback enclosure sheet ES_(BACK) is then advanced further into the nip sothat the adhesive sections 136 disposed on the leading edge portion 131thereof align with the adhesive sections 138 disposed on the leadingedge portion 131 of the front enclosure sheet ES_(FRONT) which isalready positioned in the nip (see FIG. 21).

The leading edge portion 131 of the front enclosure sheet ES_(FRONT) isthen sealed to the leading edge portion 131 of the back enclosure sheetES_(BACK). In particular, the processing unit 180 generates a controlsignal which causes the sealing roller 90 to be rotated thereby causingthe sealing ridge 140 of the sealing roller 90 to be rotated intocontact with the leading edge portions 131 of the front enclosure sheetES_(FRONT) and the back enclosure sheet ES_(BACK). In particular, as thesealing ridge 140 of the sealing roller 90 is rotated, the adhesivesections 136 on the front side 127 of the back enclosure sheet ES_(BACK)are urged into contact with the adhesive sections 138 on the back side129 of the front enclosure sheet ES_(FRONT) thereby sealing the leadingedge portions 131 of the front enclosure sheet ES_(FRONT) and the backenclosure sheet ES_(BACK) to one another. As shown in FIG. 29, when theleading edge portions 131 of the front enclosure sheet ES_(FRONT) andthe back enclosure sheet ES_(BACK) are sealed to one another, theenvelope 91 is formed. The sealing roller 90 is then maintained in aposition such that the sealing ridge 140 contacts the back enclosuresheet ES_(BACK) and the front enclosure sheet ES_(FRONT), as shown inFIG. 29, during the subsequent advancement of the confidential sheets CSinto the envelope 91 as described below.

One of the plain-paper, unprinted confidential sheets CS is thenadvanced out of the upper input tray 14 and into the print engine 314.In particular, the processing unit 180 generates a control signal whichcauses the feeding roller 22 of the laser printer 312 to be driven. Asthe feeding roller 22 is driven, the confidential sheet CS is advancedout of the upper input tray 14 and into the print engine 314.

Once positioned in the print engine 314, information associated with thenext page of the printing operation is printed on the confidential sheetCS. For example, the first confidential sheet CS advanced into the printengine 314 has the second page of the printing operation printed thereon(with the first page of the printing operation having been printed onthe front enclosure sheet ES_(FRONT)), the second confidential sheet CSadvanced into the print engine 314 has the third page of the printingoperation printed thereon, and so on.

The confidential sheet CS is then advanced along a confidential sheetpaper path (see FIG. 34). In particular, the processing unit 180generates a control signal which causes the advancing roller 34 to bedriven. As the advancing roller 34 is driven, the confidential sheet CSis advanced out of the print engine 314, and out of the laser printer312. The processing unit 180 then generates a control signal whichcauses the diverter 36 to be positioned in the first diverter positionas shown in FIG. 34. When the diverter 36 is positioned in the firstdiverter position, the confidential sheet CS is advanced along the lowerplate 40 such that a front side thereof (i.e. the side that was printedon) is facing downwardly and in contact with the back side 129 of thefront enclosure sheet ES_(FRONT) which is positioned on the bottom plate40.

The processing unit 180 then generates control signals which cause thescuffer drive motor 66 to be actuated. As described above, actuation ofthe scuffer drive motor 66 causes the confidential sheets CS to benudged along the front enclosure sheet ES_(FRONT) positioned on thelower plate 40. Moreover, the processing unit 180 generates a controlsignal which cause the sheet guiding assembly 74 (i.e. the deflectorarms 76, 78) to be positioned in the lowered deflector position (seeFIG. 12) such that the confidential sheet CS may be advanced between theupper guide members 85 and the lower guide members 82.

The confidential sheet CS is then advanced within the envelope 91. Inparticular, the processing unit continues to generate control signalssuch that the stepper or scuffer drive motor 66 nudges the confidentialsheet CS within the envelope 91 defined by the front enclosure sheetES_(FRONT) and the back enclosure sheet ES_(BACK).

If there is no further pages associated with the printing operation, thelateral edge portions 135, 137 of the front enclosure sheet ES_(FRONT)and the back enclosure sheet ES_(BACK) are sealed to one another. Inparticular, the processing unit 180 generates a control signal whichcauses rotation of the support roller 92 and the lateral edge rollers94, 96 thereby causing the front enclosure sheet ES_(FRONT), the backenclosure sheet ES_(BACK), and the confidential sheets CS therebetweento be advanced through the nip of the nip roller assembly 134. Asdescribed above, the lateral edge portions 135, 137 are advanced betweenthe lateral edge rollers 94, 96, and support roller 92, respectively. Asa result, the adhesive sections 136, 138 along the lateral edge portions135, 137 are urged into contact with one another thereby sealing thelateral edge portions 135, 137 together.

The trailing edge portions 133 of the front enclosure sheet ES_(FRONT)and the back enclosure sheet ES_(BACK) are then sealed to one another.In particular, when the trailing edge portions 133 of the frontenclosure sheet ES_(FRONT) and the back enclosure sheet ES_(BACK) arepositioned between the sealing roller 90 and the support roller 92, theprocessing unit 180 ceases advancement of the front enclosure sheetES_(FRONT) and the back enclosure sheet ES_(BACK). Thereafter, theprocessing unit 180 generates a control signal which causes the sealingroller 90 to be rotated thereby causing the sealing ridge 140 of thesealing roller 90 to be rotated into contact with the trailing edgeportions 133 of the front enclosure sheet ES_(FRONT) and the backenclosure sheet ES_(BACK). In particular, as the sealing ridge 140 ofthe sealing roller 90 is rotated, the adhesive sections 136 on the ofthe back enclosure sheet ES_(BACK) are urged into contact with theadhesive sections 138 on the back side 129 of the front enclosure sheetES_(FRONT) thereby sealing the trailing edge portions 133 of the frontenclosure sheet ES_(FRONT) and the back enclosure sheet ES_(BACK) to oneanother thereby creating the sealed confidential packet CP (see FIG.7D).

Once the trailing edge portions 133 of the front enclosure sheetES_(FRONT) and the back enclosure sheet ES_(BACK) are sealed to oneanother, the sealed confidential packet CP is advanced out of thesealing station 20 and into the output tray 18. In particular, theprocessing unit 180 generates and control signal which causes rotationof the support roller 92 and the lateral edge rollers 94, 96 therebycausing the sealed confidential packet CP to be advanced through the nipof the nip roller assembly 134 and into the output tray 18.

The document security apparatus 310 may be configured to allow messagesof a non-confidential nature to be printed without being sealed within asealed confidential packet CP. For example, as shown in FIG. 35, thedocument security apparatus 310 may include a non-confidential outputtray 362. In addition to the first diverter position (see FIGS. 32 and34), and the second diverter position (see FIG. 33), the diverter 36 maybe positioned in a third diverter position. When positioned in the thirddiverter position, printed confidential sheets CS may be advanced fromthe laser printer 312 and into the non-confidential output tray 362without being advanced into the sealing station 20. Such advancement ofthe confidential sheets CS may be desirable when the informationassociated with the printing operation is non-confidential in nature.

It should be appreciated that the document security apparatus 10 ofFIGS. 1-31 may likewise be configured with a non-confidential outputtray similar to the non-confidential output tray 362 of the documentsecurity apparatus 310 so as to allow printing and storage of printedsheets associated with a non-confidential facsimile transmission.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in thedrawings and foregoing description, such illustration and description isto be considered as exemplary and not restrictive in character, it beingunderstood that only the preferred embodiments have been shown anddescribed and that all changes and modifications that come within thespirit of the invention are desired to be protected.

It should be appreciated that the document security apparatus 10, 310may accommodate output of the enclosure sheets ES and the confidentialsheets CS from the print engine 32 and the laser printer 312,respectively, in one of a number of different orientations. Inparticular, with minor modification, the document security apparatus 10,310, may accommodate 10 either "face up" or "face down" output of theenclosure sheets ES and confidential sheets CS from the print engine 32and the laser printer 312, respectively. Such modification may benecessary in order to allow the document security apparatus 10, 310 tobe used in conjunction with a broad range of commercially availableprint engines, laser printers, facsimile machines, photocopiers, etc.

What is claimed is:
 1. A sealing assembly, comprising:a support roller;a center roller having a sealing ridge attached thereto whichoperatively contacts said support roller so as to urge a first enclosuresheet into contact with a second enclosure sheet; a first edge rollerwhich operatively contacts said support roller so as to urge said firstenclosure sheet into contact with said second enclosure sheet, wherein(1) said center roller and said first edge roller are rotatablysupported on a common axis, and (2) said center roller rotatesindependently of said first edge roller; and a second edge roller whichoperatively contacts said support roller so as to urge said firstenclosure sheet into contact with said second enclosure sheet, whereinsaid center roller, said first edge roller, and said second edge rollerare rotatably supported on said common axis, wherein said first edgeroller rotates dependently of said second edge roller, and wherein saidfirst edge roller and second edge roller are each held stationary duringrotation of said center roller.
 2. The assembly of claim 1, furthercomprising:a first drive motor having a first output shaft which ismechanically coupled to said first edge roller and said second edgeroller.
 3. The assembly of claim 2, wherein said first output shaft ofsaid first drive motor is further mechanically coupled to said supportroller, further comprising:a first support roller gear which isnon-rotatably secured to said support roller; a second support rollergear which is non-rotatably secured to said support roller; a first edgeroller gear which is non-rotatably secured to said first edge roller,said first edge roller gear meshingly engages said first support rollergear; and a second edge roller gear which is non-rotatably secured tosaid second edge roller, said second edge roller gear meshingly engagessaid second support roller gear.
 4. The assembly of claim 3, furthercomprising a second drive motor having a second output shaft which ismechanically coupled to said center roller.
 5. The assembly of claim 4,wherein said center roller further rotates independently of said secondedge roller and said support roller.
 6. The assembly of claim 1,wherein:said first enclosure sheet includes a first pressure sensitiveadhesive thereon, said second enclosure sheet includes a second pressuresensitive adhesive thereon, said center roller urges said first pressuresensitive adhesive toward said second pressure sensitive adhesive so asto form a first seal portion which extends in a first direction which isperpendicular to a path of movement of said first and second enclosuresheets, and said first edge roller urges said first pressure sensitiveadhesive toward said second pressure sensitive adhesive so as to form asecond seal portion which extends in a second direction which isparallel to said path of movement of said first and second enclosuresheets.
 7. A method of sealing an envelope in a document securityapparatus, comprising the steps of:advancing a first enclosure sheet anda second enclosure sheet in a path of movement so that the firstenclosure sheet is positioned between (1) a center roller and a supportroller, and (2) a first edge roller and the support roller, wherein (i)the first enclosure sheet includes a first pressure sensitive adhesivethereon, (ii) the second enclosure sheet includes a second pressuresensitive adhesive thereon; urging the first pressure sensitive adhesivetoward the second pressure sensitive adhesive with the center roller soas to form a first seal portion which extends in a first direction whichis perpendicular to the path of movement of the first and secondenclosure sheets during a first period of time; and urging the firstpressure sensitive adhesive toward the second pressure sensitiveadhesive with the first edge roller so as to form a second seal portionwhich extends in a second direction which is parallel to the path ofmovement of the first and second enclosure sheets during a second periodof time, wherein (i) the first edge roller is held stationary during thefirst period of time, and (ii) the center roller is held stationaryduring the second period of time.
 8. The method of claim 7, wherein thecenter roller and the first edge roller are rotatably supported on acommon axis.
 9. The method of claim 7, wherein the center roller rotatesindependently of the first edge roller.
 10. The method of claim 7,further comprising the steps of:providing a second edge roller, wherein(1) the center roller, the first edge roller, and the second edge rollerare rotatably supported on a common axis, (2) both of the first edgeroller and the second edge roller rotate independently of the centeredge roller; and urging the first pressure sensitive adhesive toward thesecond pressure sensitive adhesive with the second end roller so as toform a third seal portion which extends in the second direction which isparallel to the path of movement of the first and second enclosuresheets.
 11. A sealing assembly, comprising:a support surface; a centersealer which operatively contacts said support surface so as to urge afirst enclosure sheet into contact with a second enclosure sheet; and anedge sealer which operatively contacts said support surface so as tourge said first enclosure sheet into contact with said second enclosuresheet, wherein (1) said center sealer and said edge sealer are rotatablesupported on a common axis, and (2) said center sealer rotatesindependently of said edge sealer, wherein said edge sealer includes afirst edge roller, wherein said center sealer and said first edge rollerare rotatably supported on said common axis, wherein said center sealerrotates independently of said first edge roller, and wherein said firstedge roller is held stationary during rotation of said center sealer.12. The assembly of claim 11, wherein:said edge sealer further includesa second edge roller, said center sealer, said first edge roller, andsaid second edge roller are rotatably supported on said common axis,said first edge roller rotates dependently of said second edge roller,and said second edge roller is held stationary during rotation of saidcenter roller.
 13. A sealing assembly, comprising:a support surface; acenter sealer which operatively contacts said support surface so as tourge a first enclosure sheet into contact with a second enclosure sheet;an edge sealer which operatively contacts said support surface so as tourge said first enclosure sheet into contact with said second enclosuresheet, wherein (1) said center sealer and said edge sealer are rotatablesupported on a common axis, and (2) said center sealer rotatesindependently of said edge sealer; and a first drive motor having afirst output shaft which is mechanically coupled to said edge sealer.14. The assembly of claim 13, wherein (1) said support surface includesa support roller, and (2) said first output shaft of said first drivemotor is further mechanically coupled to said support roller, furthercomprising:a support roller gear which is non-rotatably secured to saidsupport roller; and an edge sealer gear which is non-rotatably securedto said edge sealer, wherein said edge sealer gear meshingly engagessaid support roller gear.
 15. The assembly of claim 14, furthercomprising a second drive motor having a second output shaft which ismechanically coupled to said center sealer.
 16. The assembly of claim15, wherein said center sealer further rotates independently of saidsupport roller.
 17. The assembly of claim 11, wherein:said firstenclosure sheet includes a first pressure sensitive adhesive thereon,said second enclosure sheet includes a second pressure sensitiveadhesive thereon, said center sealer urges said first pressure sensitiveadhesive toward said second pressure sensitive adhesive so as to form afirst seal portion which extends in a first direction which isperpendicular to a path of movement of said first and second enclosuresheets, and said edge sealer urges said first pressure sensitiveadhesive toward said second pressure sensitive adhesive so as to form asecond seal portion which extends in a second direction which isparallel to said path of movement of said first and second enclosuresheets.
 18. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said center roller is heldstationary during rotation of said first edge roller and said secondedge roller.